Matchett: “Play it like it’s a testimonial” – Liverpool v Palace Finale Preview | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Alexander-Arnold, Final Flourishes and a Festive Farewell

As the Premier League season drew to a celebratory close, the Anfield Index’s AEyeScouted podcast brought sharp focus to Liverpool’s final fixture against Crystal Palace. With hosts Dave Hendrick and Karl Matchett offering their candid insights, the show mixed footballing nostalgia with tactical analysis and a splash of humour. It was less a preview, more a celebration — of players, moments, and the enduring passion of the game.

Liverpool’s Final XI and the Slot Era Outlook

With Arne Slot preparing to officially take the reins, attention turned to who should start against Crystal Palace. Hendrick was emphatic: “I would go with exactly the same team,” he said, before suggesting one exception: “I would play Endo over Jones next to Gravenberch. Give Gravenberch a little bit more freedom.”

The episode also hinted at Liverpool’s internal dynamics as the post-Klopp transition begins. Hendrick didn’t mince words on certain players: “I wouldn’t even have [Trent] in the squad. I think he’s picked his last ball for Liverpool and he’s made his own bed.” That sentiment, should it materialise, would mark a significant shift for Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player symbolic of Klopp’s tenure and the Scouse heartbeat of the team.

Celebrating Football’s Character Over Just the Result

Karl Matchett joined Hendrick in forecasting a game played with joy rather than pressure. “There’s nothing riding on the game for either side,” Hendrick noted, “They’ve both had incredibly successful seasons.” That set the tone for a match intended as celebration rather than contest.

What could that look like? Hendrick’s idea was playful but telling: “I want to see these lads just go out and have fun. Play it like it’s a testimonial.”

Even more tongue-in-cheek was his tongue-in-Trent comment: “If Arne had a real sense of humour, he’d bring Trent on on 66 minutes and then 66 seconds later, take him back off.” Whether affectionate ribbing or a deeper point, it’s clear Alexander-Arnold’s future under Slot may not be as guaranteed as previously assumed.

Photo IMAGO

Palace Reflections and Alexander-Arnold Ironies

The podcast took an affectionate stroll through footballing history, including tales of Ian Wright and Mark Bright. But the parallels to modern players were where the real insight lay. When talking about Routledge and Bolasie, Matchett mused about how Liverpool nearly signed several Crystal Palace wingers, suggesting how careers — and clubs — can hinge on timing and opportunity.

By the end, the conversation returned to Liverpool’s defensive stalwart turned occasional striker: “At what point in the game do we bring Joe Gomez on up front and just go entirely hunting the Joe Gomez goal?” Hendrick asked, half-jokingly. Matchett added his own caution, “I don’t want to risk him getting injured… if that’s what he’s after,” alluding to possible transfer plans.

End of Season Atmosphere, End of an Era?

Despite its casual tone, the episode had an undercurrent of change. As Liverpool fans prepare for Arne Slot’s tenure, this final match preview encapsulated not just a fixture but a moment in time — one where Liverpool and Crystal Palace find themselves at crossroads.

As Hendrick concluded with an ambitious prediction — “I’m going for two Mo Salah goals… and Joe Gomez is scoring at least one” — the mood was one of celebration and reflection. Not about what was won, but what was built.